When picking out microphones for your band's live performance, there are a lot of different aspects to consider. Microphones are very complex, and if you use the wrong microphone with the wrong instrument you might not get the sound you're after. Here are some basic breakdowns of how microphones work and a guideline to picking the right microphones for the right instrument.

First, there are some basic principles of microphones that it's useful to understand:

Cartridge Types

Inside a microphone is a cartridge that turns sound into an electrical signal. There are two types of cartridges: a dynamic cartridge and a condenser cartridge. Dynamic cartridges are simple and strong. They handle extreme volumes and a lot of rough handling without a problem. Condenser cartridges are more fragile and more sensitive to volume. Overall, a dynamic cartridge is the way to go for live performances, while condensers are best for a controlled environment like recording.

Frequency Response

This dictates the overall sound of the microphone. The two most common response curves that you'll see while browsing for a mic are "flat" and "shaped." Flat microphones do exactly what it sounds like they would do. They are standard and produce a natural, uninhibited sound. Shaped microphones are more sensitive to specific types of instruments or voices and have a more tailored sound. Each mic is useful in different situations.

Pickup Patterns

Lastly, you want to consider the pickup patterns of the microphone. You have your choice of omni directional (picks up sound in all directions,) unidirectional (picks up sound in one direction,) or super/hyper cardioid (picks up sound in one very specific direction.) Once again, these differences are not necessarily good or bad, but are made to fit a variety of situations.

Vocals

For your vocals you're going to want a microphone with shaped frequency and a cardioid pickup pattern. It's also important to make sure that all singers are using the same kind of mic to ensure consistency.

Guitar Amps

Like vocals, guitars produce specific, sensitive sounds. It's best to go with a cardioids pickup pattern and a shaped frequency.

Drums

Obviously, the drums are versatile and many pieces of the kit need to be equipped with a microphone. You're going to find that a cardioid pickup pattern is best a lot of the time, especially for a live, performing band, because it controls what the microphone is picking up. This couldn't be truer than on a drum set, where many different sounds are coming from a controlled area. The kick, the snare, and the cymbals should all be equipped with cardioid microphones. Kick and snare drums should have a shaped frequency, while cymbals should be flat in order to capture a broad range of sounds.

Simply put, you're always going to want to buy the best microphone you can afford to get the best possible sound out of your performance. And that's what it comes down to in the end: SOUND. There is rarely a "best" choice when it comes to microphones, so it's important that you trust your ears and make the best choice for yourself.